Dutch wary of complacency

Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk says his troops must guard against complacency after beating Brazil 2-1 in the World Cup quarter-finals.

The Dutch face the South Americans in the last four at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town on Wednesday morning (AEST) as favourites to reach the final.

Van Marwijk says there is always a risk of losing focus after a surprise win, especially against a big team like Brazil, whom they beat in Port Elizabeth.

"I think the next game is a very dangerous game. This is the moment that I have already talked about for two years," he said.

"When you beat Brazil and you are in the last four of the World Cup then there is a next game coming and the next game is Uruguay.

"They are fighters and we have to be very focused."

Uruguay beat Ghana, the last African side in the World Cup, on Saturday morning (AEST) after a penalty shoot-out to reach their first semi-final in 40 years but will be without striker Luis Suarez, who was sent off for handling the ball on the line.

Van Marwijk says losing Suarez will not significantly weaken Uruguay because it has good replacements.

The Dutch were also not thinking about a possible final and did not care at this stage who the opponents might be, should they beat Uruguay.

"I don't think that way. When you want to be world champions you have to win every game," Van Marwijk said.

"The message to the team is to keep concentrating day-by-day, match-by-match and that is what we are going to do."

Netherlands striker Robin van Persie has been cleared to play in the semi-final following a hospital scan on an elbow injury.

Van Marwijk had earlier told reporters in Johannesburg that defender Joris Mathijsen was also in hospital for a scan on a knee injury.

A statement said: "Neither scan on Van Persie or Mathijsen showed any serious damage and both are fit to play against Uruguay."

Mathijsen had been named in the starting line-up against Brazil but was replaced after being injured in the pre-match warm-up.